Young Woman with Lemon 1685 - 1690

Godfried Schalcken's "Young Woman with Lemon," painted between 1685 and 1690, showcases the Dutch master's skill in depicting candlelight. The intimate portrait captures a young woman, likely of the upper class, in a dimly lit setting. The woman delicately holds a lemon slice on a fork, her expression suggesting a moment of contemplation. The painting's small dimensions, 23 cm by 18 cm, add to its sense of intimacy and draw the viewer closer to the subject, creating a feeling of shared space. Schalcken's mastery of chiaroscuro, the interplay of light and shadow, creates a dramatic effect, highlighting the woman's features and the textures of her clothing. This intimate portrayal, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the artistic trends of the Dutch Golden Age.